The relationship between C-reactive protein, anthropometric parameters and lipids in menopausal transition.

Aim To investigate the relationship between C-reactive protein, anthropometric parameters, and lipids in women in the menopausal transition. Methods This cross-sectional study included 150 women divided into three groups: premenopausal (n=50), perimenopausal (n=50), and postmenopausal (n=50). All women were interviewed, body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) values were calculated, and a blood sample was taken for laboratory analysis. The values of the lipids were determined including triglycerides, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, while low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol values were obtained through formulas. The concentration of CRP was determined by immunoturbidimetry on the Architect ci8200 device. Results The BMI of postmenopausal women was significantly higher than that of premenopausal (p=0.025) and perimenopausal women (p=0.010). The ratio of the waist-hip circumference of postmenopausal women was significantly higher than the ratio of the waist-hip circumference of premenopausal women (p<0.001), as well as that of perimenopausal women (p<0.001). A significant difference in CRP concentration was found only between the postmenopausal and premenopausal groups (p=0.009). CRP significantly positively correlated with BMI in all three groups. A significant positive correlation was found between CRP and WHR in the perimenopause and in the postmenopause group. No significant correlation was found between CRP and lipid parameters in any group. Conclusion An increase in body weight or obesity in the postmenopausal period, increase in CRP concentration, and positive correlation between these parameters suggest that entering menopause could mean a potential increase in the risk of developing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

Progesterone induced blocking factor (PIBF) taken in early pregnancy predicts the pregnancy outcome in women undergoing in vitro fertilization procedure.

Earlier data suggest a relationship between PIBF concentrations and the outcome of pregnancy. The aim of the study was to compare serum and urine concentrations of PIBF in women with successful pregnancy after IVF with those of women without pregnancy after IVF procedure, and to evaluate the potential relation between PIBF and the outcome of pregnancy. Urine and serum were collected from 120 women, undergoing IVF. 87.5% of patients had primary infertility. 69.2% faced female causes of infertility: 10.8% tubal cause, 11.7% ovulation disorder, and 46.7% other causes of infertility. 30.8% of patients had male factor of infertility. Among non-pregnant women (42) mean concentrations of PIBF in urine and serum were significantly lower (15.8 ng/mL; 148.4 ng/mL) than in women with positive beta HCG value (78) (19.1 ng/mL; 225.9 ng/mL). In 49 patients pregnancy terminated with a term delivery, in 10 patients with pretem delivery, while in 19 patients the pregnancy terminated with a miscarriage. PIBF concentrations in urine (13.9 ± 2.8 ng/mL) and serum (124.6 ± 46.7 ng/mL) samples of women with miscarriage were significantly lower of those with preterm delivery (180.6 ± 54.4 ng/mL; 18.1 ± 4.4 ng/mL) and of those with term delivery (20.4 ± 8.5 ng/mL; 208.7 ± 114.3 ng/mL). Successful pregnancy after IVF procedure is predictable by measuring of urine and serum PIBF concentrations and could be important for predicting of early implantation and pregnancy outcome after IVF procedure and maybe to protect the risk pregnancy.

Quality of Life in Mothers of Children with Cerebral Palsy.

The aim of the study was to investigate whether there is difference in the quality of life between mothers of children with cerebral palsy and mothers of healthy children, as well as whether the quality of life in mothers of children with cerebral palsy depends on their level of education, child's mobility and child's functional status. A total of 141 mothers participated in the research. Mothers were divided into two groups, 71 mothers of children with cerebral palsy and 70 mothers of healthy children from the Tuzla Canton (Bosnia and Herzegovina). A multidimensional questionnaire PedsQL™ 2.0 Family Impact Mode was used for assessment of the impact of pediatric chronic health condition on the mothers' functioning. Th e level of functional disability of the child was measured by the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS levels I-V) scale. Mothers of children with cerebral palsy had poorer quality of life than mothers of healthy children in all investigated domains. In relation to mobility of the child, the quality of life was worse in mothers whose children did not move in the area of social functioning in comparison to mothers whose children had the ability to move independently. A statistically significant negative correlation existed between functional status of a child measured with GMFCS and social functioning of mothers, mothers' daily activities, parental functioning, family functioning, and overall quality of life of mothers.

Secular trend of anthropometric parameters of newborns in municipalities of Tuzla Canton (1976 - 2007).

Aim To determine the acceleration of birth weight and birth length of newborns in the municipalities of Tuzla Canton in the last four decades. Tuzla Canton (TC) as an administrative territorial unit of the FBiH includes 13 municipalities. Methods In this retrospective study data from the Protocol Book of Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic, University Clinical Center, from 1976 to 2007 were used. The sample of live-born infants by municipalities was divided into four sub-samples: a subsample of infants born in 1976, 1987, 1997 and 2007. During the monitored years there were 19,312 live births in Tuzla Canton (TC), but the study included 17,907 newborns of both sexes. Statistical data processing was performed using standard methods, descriptive and inference statistics. Results Ascertained results of the secular trend for birth weight showed that this parameter had positive values in seven municipalities, but in six municipalities it was negative. The highest values of increasing birth length of newborns, which were statistically significant, were found in the municipalities of Srebrenik and this increase was 0.06 cm per year. Conclusion Different values of the secular trend in the monitored TC are result of different socio-economic and ecological conditions in these municipalities, as well as of violent mass population migration that occurred as a result of the war in BiH in the period from 1992 to 1995.

[Local combined therapy of vaginal infections by nifuratel-nistatin]. / Lokalno lijecenje vaginalne infekcije s kombinacijom nifuratela i nistatina.

A test included 40 women in the reproductive age with clinical symptoms of vaginitis and microbiological examination. They were treated by combined therapy of vaginal tablets of nifuratel, 500 mg and nistatin 200 000 i. u. during six days, after which they underwent gynaecological reexamination and repeated microbiological examination of vaginal and cervical smears. An analiysis of vaginal secretion found bacterial flora in 34 smears (65%), fungus (Candida albicans) in 15 (24%) and Trichomonas vaginalis in 7 (11%). Local vaginal therapy in vaginitis caused by Trichomonas vaginalis was successfull in all 7 patients, vaginitis caused by Candida albicans was successly treated in 14 (93%) patients. Bacterial vaginitis was cured in 29 (71%) patients during this tharapy. Local vaginal combined therapy of nifuratel and nistatin is eficient in patients with vaginitis caused by fungi and Trichomonas vaginalis too.

Secular changes of anthropometric parameters in newborns from Gracanica area in the period from 1998 to 2008.

INTRODUCTION: Growth and development of children can be observed on individual and population level. Anthropometric measures are main indicators of that development. Secular trend of anthropometric measures increase in BiH and in the world is most often observed during the adolescence period. Changes in anthropometric measures are also investigated in newborns (body length, birth weight, head circumference, upper arm circumference and others) and are correlated with different endogenous and exogenous factors. Purpose of this paper is to analyze birth weight, body length and head circumference in newborns from Gracanica area, which were born in the period from 2007 to 2008, compare them with information's collected in 1998 and 1999, and then determine eventual secular trend. EXAMINEES AND METHODS: Examinees were babies born in period from January 1st to December 31st 1998, and from January 1st 2007 to December 28th 2008. The method was retrospective and used information is from The Book of Protocols at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Dr M. Beganovic Hospital in Gracanica. In observed period (1998 and 1999, 2007 and 2008) more girls was born than boys (N = 1801). RESULTS: Newborns in Gracanica (2007-2008) weighted 3564 grams and female newborns weighted 3321+/- 333 grams in total sample. Body length in female newborns is 55.37; and male newborns 56.32. CONCLUSIONS: Acceleration of growth of observed anthropometric parameters was established in newborns from Gracanica, in the period from 1998 to 2008 (for birth weight it is 84.96 g/dec; for body length it is 1,13 cm/dec and for head circumference it is 0.34 cm/dec).

Correlation between hormonal and lipid status in women in menopause.

It is widely accepted that menopause leads to changes in hormonal status, metabolism and lipid profile. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of menopause on the concentrations of lipids, lipoproteins and, the influence of estradiol, progesterone, FSH, LH on lipid profile in menopausal women as well. The menopausal women had higher but non-significant (p>0,05) concentrations of total cholesterol, VLDL, LDL, and triglycerides than women with regular menstruation. The concentration of HDL was significantly lower in menopausal women than in women with regular menstruation (p<0,05). Also, the concentration of apolipoprotein B was significantly higher in menopausal women (p<0,05), but the concentrations of apolipoprotein and lipoprotein (a) were lower but without significance (p>0,05). Estrogen concentration has significant negative correlation with VLDL and triglycerides (p<0,05) and significant positive correlation with HDL (p<0,05) in menopausal women. Progesterone concentration has shown no correlation with concentrations of lipids and lipoproteins in menopause. We can conclude that menopause leads to changes in lipid profile by reducing HDL, and elevating apolipoprotein B levels, thus increasing the risk for cardiovascular disease. These changes were caused by reduction of estrogen concentrations in menopause.